Ribbon bow-forming machine



April 21, 1964 p, NAPlER 3,129,861

RIBBON BOW-FORMING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 21, 1961 42 87 Z 88 w I 76 4 57 55 J 77 9 --1 46 j r 56 50 M 751 T4 34 f T '4 l l K J 1 44 15 2 7: 0 2 61 54 g 79 .62?

iNVENTOR.

RAY B Al /Ee BY zo M April 21, 1964 R. P. NAPIER RIBBON BOW-FORMING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 21, 1961 INVENTOR. B9) A .IWZO/EE flrmeA/Eys.

Z/LM 4% United States Patent 3,129,861 RIBBGN EQW-FGRMING MACIWE Ray P. Napier, 6143 Beiifiower Blvd, Lakewood, Caiif. Fiied Aug. 21, 1961, Ser. No. 132,861 12 Claims. ci. 223-46) This invention relates to a machine for making ribbon bows for use in packaging various items of merchandise.

The ribbon bow is formed by piercing the end of the ribbon with a mounting pin and then repeatedly forming loops in the ribbon by piercing the ribbon with the pin at uniformly spaced intervals along the ribbon, all while angularly indexing the previously formed loops.

Machines of this general character provided in the past have not been capable of continued reliable operation by the unskilled persons usually using them. Several factors are responsible. The object of this invention therefore is to provide an improved ribbon bow machine of this general character.

The machine includes a support or post upon which the pin holder is mounted for indexing movement about the axis of the pin. A ribbon feeding block is slidably mounted on a guide for reciprocation toward and away from the pin. A one-way clutch or driving connection between the feeding block and the ribbon with which the feeding block cooperates causes the loops to form on reciprocation of the feeding block. The stroke of the feeding block, although selectively determined to vary the length of the loops and thus the diameter of the how, has a forward fixed terminus just adequate to cause the pin to pierce the ribbon at the end of the loop just formed.

The pin has a piercing head terminating at a rearwardly facing shoulder that serves to retain the ribbon on the pin. The one-way clutch between the feeder and the ribbon must offer the least possible resistance on the return stroke in order to avoid pulling the ribbon oif of the piercing head. An object of this invention is to provide an improved one-way clutch that not only satisfies these requirements, but yet is so simple as to be easily operated when ribbon is started through the machine.

In order to achieve precise formation of a bow, a constant indexing movement of the pin and the partially formed bow must be completed in advance of the formation of the succeeding loop. To correlate these functions, a common drive member operates the feeder and indexes the pin holder. In prior devices, the holder for the pin was so constructed as to complicate the drive shaft for the common drive member.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved apparatus for forming a how. To this end, use is made of a yielding spring-biased frictional gripping member, for the bow base, that serves to maintain the bow loops as they are formed, delicately but snugly against the retaining shoulder of the piercing head, thereby ensuring the indexing of the partially formed bow as a unit. The formation of an irregular bow is avoided. Furthermore, the yielding characteristics of the gripping member make it possible for the pin effectively to accommodate an extra large number of ribbon layers just as well as a few ribbon layers whereby bows of various fullness can be formed and whereby various effective ribbon thicknessees are tolerated. The gripping member conveniently serves the function of releasing the pin by manual retraction.

As the loop is formed and turned, the tension in the ribbon tends to turn it away from a perpendicular relationship at the place of engagements with the piercing head. Since tension is unpredictable and variable, the ribbon may be curled or turned more or less for different loops of the same bow, resulting in lateral variations in the place of piercing and a consequent irregular bow. Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide a "ice guide that serves to move the ribbon into a plane perpendicular to the piercing pin at the place of piercing whereby the ribbon is perfectly centered.

Another object of this invention is to provide single means whereby the amount of indexing movement of the pin holder may be adjusted and controlled.

T1118 invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objects which may be made more clearly apparent from a consideration of one embodiment of the invention. For this purpose, there is shown a form in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of the present specification, and which drawings, unless described as diagrammatic, or unless as otherwise indicated, are true scale. This form will now be described in detail, illustrating the general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood that this detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, since the scope of this invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of the machine incorporating the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view thereof;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along a plane corresponding to line 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view showing a portion of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2, and taken along a plane corresponding to line 44 of FIG. 2;

FiGS. 5 and 6 are enlarged elevational views similar to FIG. 4 but showing successive advanced positions of the feeder block;

FIGS. 7 and 8 are enlarged sectional views taken along planes corresponding to line 77 and 8-8 of FIGS. 5 and 6, respectively;

FIG. 9 is a transverse sectional View taken along a plane corresponding to line 99 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional view of the head end of the feeding device taken along plane 1ii10 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing the one-way clutch or coupling device and taken along a plane 1111 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 12 is a pictorial view of a button or pin upon which the bow is formed.

The button or pin 9 (FIG. 12) upon which the bow is formed comprises a shank 1d bounded at one end by a piercing head 11 and an enlarged circular flange 12 at the other. The piercing head 11 is conical, diverging rearwardly from its forward point. The head has a rearwardly shoulder 13 that cooperates with the flange 12 effectively to retain the ribbon layers on the shank 13. Thus, the ribbon is sufliciently resilient to close about the shank 10 after passing over the head 11.

A holder 14 holds the pin 9 by its flange 12, and forwardly exposes the piercing head 11 and the shank It) for cooperation with the ribbon 15.

The holder 14 is mounted upon a post or standard 16 that extends upwardly from the left-hand end of a base plate 17, as viewed in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The holder 14 (FIGS. 7 and 8) comprises a horizontal shaft 18 that is supported at one end in a bearing bushing 19 mounted on the post 16. Stop rings 20 and 21 axially locate the shaft. The shaft 18 projects toward the righthand end of the base 17 as viewed in the drawings. The right-hand end of the shaft 18 is formed to receive the pin 9. Thus, the end of the shaft has an extended cylindrical recess 22. A transverse slot 23 at the outer end of the recess 22 bifurcates the shaft end, the bifurcations being inwardly turned to form opposed spaced jaws 26 and 27. The inner surfaces of the jaws form the frontal surface of a laterally opening recess. The flange 12 of the pin may be laterally moved into the recess with the shank passing between the jaws 26 and 27 so that the pin head 11 is exposed forwardly of the jaws.

The flange 12 is releasably urged outwardly and into frictional engagement with the inner surfaces of the jaws 26 and 27 by the aid of a plunger 28. The plunger 28 is guided for movement in the shaft recess 22 and has a pin contacting extension in the form of a flathead screw 29. The screw 29 threadably engages a recess v3i) formed in the plunger 28.

Upon movement of the plunger 28 to the right, the button or pin is suitably clamped in place. For this purpose, a compression spring 31 is interposed between the plunger and the bottom of the cylindrical recess 22.

In order to release the pin for its removal or to retrace the plunger 28 to permit its insertion, the plunger carries a pin 32 in a transverse aperture 32a thereof. The pin 32 projects through an elongated clearance slot 33 in the shaft for access exteriorly thereof.

in the present instance, the pin 32 is operated by a sleeve 34 that is slidably mounted on the shaft 18. The sleeve 34 has an elongated slot 35, the forward end of which engages the operating pin 32 upon retraction of the sleeve correspondingly to retract the plunger 28.

The sleeve 34 projects forwardly beyond the jaws 26 and 27 for frictionaliy engaging the ribbon bow on opposite sides of the piercing head. This accomplishes two functions. The layers of the ribbon are urged tightly together and against pin shoulder 13 so as to maintain the angular orientation of the loops as they are formed. Also, a coupling is established so that the bow as a unit can be indexed by angular movement of the holder 1 before each ribbon loop is added,

A friction ring 36 of rubber or other suitable friction material is provided for this purpose. The friction ring 36 is accommodated in a frontal annular groove 37 of the sleeve 34, and is of such size that it projects forwardly beyond the groove to engage the under surface of the ribbon loop. The friction ring 36 normally projects forwardly of the piercing head 11 to urge the ribbon layers against the shoulder 13 and to cup the layers slightly.

In order to position the friction ring 36 the sleeve 34 is urged forwardly by a compression spring 39 that surrounds the shaft 18. The spring 39, accommodated in an enlarged rearwardly opening counter-bore 40 of the sleeve, engages at opposite ends, the bottom of the counter-bore 4t), and a stop ring 41 mounted upon the shaft 18. The retracting pin 32 by engagement with the rear end of the sleeve recess 35 determines the normal forward position of the gripping ring 36.

In order to index the holder 14, a drive member wheel 42 is provided. The wheel 42. is attached to one end of a drive shaft 43 that extends through and is mounted by the bearing post 16. The shaft 43 just clears the end of holder shaft 18, and at right angles thereto.

A segment of the inner surface of the wheel 42 is accessible forwardly of the bearing post 16, and along the rear or far side of the holder shaft 18. An indexing wheel 44 is mounted on the shaft 1%; for engagement with this portion or" the driving wheel surface. A set screw 45 (FIG. 4) secures the indexing wheel in place. The indexing wheel 44 has a peripheral groove accommodating a friction ring 46 of rubber or other suitable friction material that engages the inner surface of the driving wheel 42 to establish a right angle driving connection. The motion of the driving wheel is accordingly imparted to the shaft 18.

The inner surface of the driving wheel 42 is relieved as at 47 (see FIGS. 4, 5, and 6), so that the angular movement of the shaft 18 is intermittent, and so that, in a manner to be explained more fully hereinafter, the indexing movement of the holder is accomplished and completed (FIG. 5) just before each loop is added on the pin 9. Thus, when the relieved portion 47 of the driving wheel inner surface is opposite the indexing wheel 4 the driving shaft 18 is stationary.

In order to hold the shaft 18 against coasting movement when the relieved portion 47 of the driving wheel surface is opposite the indexing wheel 44, a brake is provided. The brake (FIG. 7) comprises a pin 43 slidably accommodated in an outwardly opening bore 49 of the bearing post 16. The bore 49 registers with a corresponding aperture 50 in the bearing 19. The pin 48 upon inward movement frictionally engages the shaft 18. A coil spring 51 in the bore 49 serves to apply the requisite inward force, and is retained by a headless screw 52 accommodated in the outer threaded end of the bore 49. By turning the screw 52, the amount of braking force is adjusted.

As the shaft 18 is thus angularly moved, the sleeve 34 and the friction ring 36 are likewise moved in order to carry the partially formed bow angularly about the pin axis. Thus, the shaft slot 33 acts upon the pin 32 to move the plunger 28, and the sleeve 34, and all parts of the holder with the shaft 18.

In order to form loops successively in the ribbon 15, a feeder device 53 is provided. As shown in FIG. 1, the feeder device 53 includes a reciprocating block 54 that is guided for rectilinear movement in a d'nection parallel to the holder axis. For this purpose, the block 54 has parallel bores mounted on parallel guide bars 55 and 56. The ends of the guide bars 55 and 56 are attached to spaced supports 5'7 and 58 secured to the base 17 respectively at the central portion and the right-hand end thereof.

The block 54 carries a one-way clutch cooperable with the ribbon 15 whereby, as the block 54 is reciprocated, the loops in the ribbon 15 are formed.

The ribbon 15 passes through a rear guide loop 59 (FIG. 1) formed on a rod projecting upwardly from the rear support 58, and then over the feeder block 54 in a path toward the pin holder 14. The ribbon passes between ears or lugs 6th and 61 extending on opposite sides of an upper guide surface 62 of the block 54 located in a. plane just above the axis of the holder.

A weight 63 (FIGS. 1, 4, 6 and 11) mounted on a horizontal pivot pin 64 extends between the cars 60 and 61 and cooperates with the surface 62 to form the operative element of the clutch. The weight 63 is in the form of a cylinder, the axis of mounting being eccentric. Two axially spaced gripper rings 65 of gutta percha or other suitable friction material bear down upon the upper surface of the ribbon 15.

The pivot pin 64 is located sufficiently close to the surface 62 so that this pivot pin 64 stops the Weight 63 with its center of gravity Well elevated with respect to the pivot pin 64. A stop pin 67 (FIGS. 5 and 6) operating in a clearance slot 68 in the ear 61 orients the weight so that the point of contact of the rings 65 lies forward of the pivot pin 64 and toward the pin holder 14. Accordingly, as the feeder block 54 moves toward the holder 14, the ribbon is carried therewith because any ribbon tension opposing such movement pulls the Weight into wedging engagement with the surface 62, thereby precluding slippage.

The ribbon extends forwardly over a plunger tube 69 mounted on and projecting forwardly of the feeder block 54. The tube is axially aligned with the holder 14. A pivoted guide bracket '70 attached to the forward end of the tube 69 includes a readily detachable part for providing a guide loop corresponding to the width of the ribbon. When there is slack in the ribbon (FIGS. 5 and 6), the ribbon falls over the end of the tube 69. The bracket 70 insures that the pin 9 predictably hits the center of the ribbon to form a symmetrical bow.

As the feeder block 54 advances from the position of FIG. 5 to that of FIG. 6, a loop is formed between the ribbon already on the pin 9 and the guide bracket 70. As the feeder block 54 approaches its forward limit of its travel (FIG. 6), the pin 9 enters the end of the tube 69, and the tube forces the ribbon at the end of the loop over the piercing head 11.

In order to protect the surface of the ribbon against marring, a protective head 71 of plastic or like material is inserted into the end of the tube 69. The head 71 has a flange 72 extending over the otherwise exposed end surface of the tube 69.

As the ribbon falls over the end of the plunger tube 69, the under surface of the ribbon at bracket 70 always faces the plunger tube 69 while the upper surface always faces the pin 9. By rotating the holder 14 180 more or less from the position of FIG. 4, the ribbon extending upwardly at the start of the loop in FIG. 4 is carried downwardly out of the path of the advancing plunger 69. By turning the holder more than 180 the ends of the loop cross each other at a slight angle, resulting in well formed petal loop. The indexing movement is thus about 240 but preferably not exactly 240 so that every third loop will still be staggered to provide a regular full bow.

The indexing movement of the holder 14 is completed before the loop is pinned. The 240 movement produces a tension along one edge of the ribbon 15, and, as shown in FIG. 5, this tension tends uniformly to distribute the twist. The bracket 71) obviously cannot be located at the same place as the end of the loop to be formed to allow for this. Hence, the end of the loop about to be pinned tends to occupy a place that is not perpendicular to the pin axis. Yet such a relationship at the moment of pinning is desired in order to ensure uniformity in the loop formation.

For this purpose, a guide plate 73 is provided at the forward end of the tube.

The guide plate '73, as shown in FIG. 10, is made of flat material, and projects beneath the tube 69 and slightly forwardly thereof. An aperture in the plate fits the protective head 71 and the edges thereabout are confined between the flange 72 and the end of the tube 69 to effect a mounting for the plate 73.

As the feeder block 59 is advanced, the guide 73 first contacts one edge of the ribbon as shown in FIG. 5, and upon continued advancement of the feeder block 54, urges the end of the ribbon loop into a perpendicular relationship.

In FIG. 8, the block 54 has reached its forward limit of movement, and the piercing head 11 extends well into the tube 69, and the loop just formed is well advanced along the pin shank 10. This substantial movement ensures piercing despite flexible characteristics of the ribbon. To permit this penetration, the sleeve 34 must be retracted, yet it must continue to exert a friction force on the bow to maintain its shape. The advancing spring 39 thus yields in accordance with the advancement of the plunger tube 69, and correspondingly follows the retracting movement thereof continuously, to maintain the requisite friction force.

As the block 54 is retracted (FIG. 4), the cylindrical weight 63 is free to slide along the ribbon because ribbon tension is now exerted to the left as viewed in the drawings, and the weight is urged upwardly about its pivot pin 64.

In order appropriately to mount the ribbon 15, a bracket 74 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is provided that extends upwardly from the rear side of the base 17. The bracket 74 carries a shaft 75 located above the right-hand end of the base 17. A ribbon spool 76 is located on the bracket shaft 75 between a plate 77 and a collar 78. A thumb screw 79 detachably secures the collar 78 on the shaft to place the spool in the vertical plane passing through the common holder and plunger axis. A light coil spring 80, interposed between a bracket boss 81 from which the shaft 75 extends, and the plate 77 urges spool 76 against the outer collar 78. Upon removal of the collar 78, ribbon spools can be removed from or placed on the shaft 75. The ribbon 15 from the spool passes downwardly t the guide loop 59. In threading the ribbon through the various parts, the weight 63 can be easily manipulated to allow free passage of the ribbon in either direction.

In order to reciprocate the feeder block 54 in synchronism with the indexing of the holder 14, the driving member 42, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, operates as a crank for the feeder block 54. The crank 42 reciprocates a rod 82 which in turn angularly reciprocates an actuating lever 83 that carries the feeder block 54.

The actuating lever 83 is connected by a pin 84 to the rear surface of the feeder block 54. The other end of the lever 83 has a slot 35 that works along a pin 86 projecting forwardly from an elevated portion of the ribbon spool bracket 74. By angularly reciprocating the lever 83 about the elevated pin 86, the block 54 is correspo11d ingly reciprocated along the guide rods 55 and 56. The extent of angular movement of the lever 83 determines the stroke of the feeder block 54 and the size of the bow loops.

The rod 82, pivotally connected at one end to a pin 87, at the rear surface of the crank 42, has its other end provisions for connection to the lever 83 at any one of a number of selected positions therealong in order correspondingly to select the stroke of the feeder block 54. For this purpose, the pin 88 (FIG. 3) projecting laterally from the end of the rod 82 is capable of entering any one of a number of apertures 89 formed along the actuating lever 83. The rod 32 is capable of slight rearward flexure to accomplish removal of the pin 88 from any one of the apertures 89 for insertion in a different aperture.

A spring pressed ball detent 9f), accommodated in a transverse aperture 91 of the pin 38 serves releasably to secure the connection between the rod 82 and the actuating rod 83 by engaging the edges about the aperture 89 after the detent 99 passes through. The end of the aperture 91 is formed to provide a shoulder to keep the ball in the aperture.

The stroke of the feeder block 54 is at a maximum when the pin 87 enters the aperture nearest to the pin 86 and a minimum when the pin 87 enters the aperture farthest from the pin 86.

The apertures 89 are so placed along the actuating lever 83 as to provide a constant forward terminus of the feeder block 54. To achieve this result, the apertures 89 are located in a non-radial path along the actuating lever 83.

The connecting rod 82 has an intermediate offset (FIG. 2), in order to provide clearance with the bow formed in the holder.

To ensure that the indexing movement of the holder 14 is completed before each loop is formed, and that the indexing movement starts after the plunger 69 is retracted, the crank pin 87 for the rod is suitably angularly positioned with respect to the dwell portion of the crank. Thus, in FIG. 4, assuming clockwise movement of the crank 42, the holder 14 has just begun its indexing movement, the feeder block 54 having just about reached its limit of retracting movement. In FIG. 5, the dwell surface 47 is operative, the indexing movement has been completed, and the plunger 69 approaches the holder 14. In FIG. 5, the center of the dwell is opposite the indexing wheel when the feeder 54 reaches the end of its forward stroke.

A handle 92 (FIGS. 1 and 2) attached to the drive shaft motivates the mechanism.

The apparatus is capable of simple adjustments in order to ensure proper bow formation.

Thus the normal forward terminus of the gripping ring 36 relative to the pin 9 can be varied by rotating the plunger extension or screw 29. Thus as the screw 29 is moved outwardly, the pin 32 moves rearwardly, carrying the sleeve 34 therewith. To facilitate this adjustment, the screw 29 has a socket 93 (FIG. 9) accessible between the jaws 26 and 27.

The position of the guide plate 73 can be adjusted by flexing it forwardly or rearwardly, and by rotating it about the circular head 71 that provides its mounting.

The amount of indexing movement of holder 14 can be varied by repositioning the indexing wheel 44, the set screw 45 (FIG. 4) being readily accessible.

end of the The inventor claims:

1. In a machine for forming a bow of ribbon upon a ribbon pin having a base end and a head end: a holder angularly movable about an axis, and having provisions for releasably engaging the base end of said pin; a member guided for movement in a path substantially parallel to said axis; a friction ring of rubber-like material mounted on the end of said member and encompassing said holder provisions for engaging the first layers of the ribbon on opposite sides of the pin; means determining a limit to movement of the guided member in which the friction ring is located forwardly of the holder pin engaging provisions; and yielding means for urging the guided member toward said limit to provide a substantially continuous grip upon the ribbon layers.

2. In a machine for forming a bow of ribbon upon a ribbon pin having a base flange, a pin shank extending from the base flange, and a pin head at the end of the shank: a shaft having a radially opening recess at one end for reception of the base flange, said shaft having jaws fixed with respect to the shaft, the inner surfaces of said jaws defining the frontal wall of said recess, said jaws being spaced from each other to permit the pin shank to project between and forwardly of the jaws; a plunger guided in the shaft recess for movement toward and away from the jaws for engaging the pin to clamp the against the inner surfaces of the jaws; a spring urging the plunger toward the jaws; and a retracting pin projecting laterally of the plunger and passing through a clearance opening in the shaft.

3. In a machine for forming a bow of ribbon upon a ribbon pin having a base flange, a pin shank extending from the base flange, and a pin head at the end of the shank: a shaft having a radially opening recess at one end for reception of the base flange, said shaft having jaws fixed with respect to the shaft, the inner surfaces of said jaws defining the frontal wall of said recess, said jaws being spaced from each other to permit the pin shank to project between and forwardly of the jaws; a plunger guided in the shaft recess for movement toward and away from the jaws for engaging the ribbon pin to clamp the ribbon pin against the inner surfaces of the jaws; a spring urging the plunger toward the jaws; a retracting pin projecting laterally of the plunger and passing through a clearance opening in the shaft; a sleeve slidable along the shaft and having a slot receiving the retracting pin; spring means urging the sleeve forwardly toward the gripping jaws and to a limit determined by engagement of said retracting pin with one end of said sleeve slot; and a friction ring mounted at the end of said sleeve and extending beyond the jaws when the sleeve is at its said limit for engagement with the ribbon on opposite sides of said ribbon pin.

4. The combination as set forth in claim 3 in which said plunger comprises a pair of relatively extensible parts capable of selective placement, one of the parts engaging the ribbon pin flange and the other of the parts mounting said retracting pin whereby the normal position of said friction ring relative to said jaws may be adjusted.

5. In a machine for forming a bow of ribbon upon a ribbon pin having a base flange, a pin shank extending from the base flange, and a pin head at the end of the shank: a shaft having a radially opening recess at one end for reception of the base flange, said shaft having jaws fixed with respect to the shaft, the inner surfaces of said jaws defining the frontal wall of said recess, said jaws being spaced from each other to permit the pin shank to project between and forwardly of the jaws; a plunger guided in the shaft recess for movement toward and away from the jaws for engaging the pin to clamp the pin against the inner surfaces of the jaws; a spring urging the plunger toward the jaws; a retracting pin projecting laterally of the plunger and passing through a clearance opening in the shaft; a bearing block for supporting the end of said shaft remote from said jaws; a crank shaft supported by the bearing block at right angles to said pin holding shaft; a crank mounted on said crank shaft for operating a ribbon feeder cooperable with said pin holding shaft; and an intermittent right angle driving connection between the crank shaft and said pin holding shaft.

6. In a machine for forming a bow of ribbon upon a ribbon pin having a base flange, a pin shank extending from the base flange, and a pin head at the end of the shank: a shaft having a radially opening recess at one end for reception of the base flange, said shaft having jaws fixed with respect to the shaft, the inner surfaces of said jaws defining the frontal wall of said recess, said jaws being spaced from each other to permit the pin shank to project between and forwardly of the jaws; a plunger guided in the shaft recess for movement toward and away from the jaws for engaging the pin to clamp the pin against the inner surfaces of the jaws; a spring urging the plunger toward the jaws; a retracting pin projecting laterally of the plunger and passing through a clearance opening in the shaft; a bearing block for supporting the end of said shaft remote from said jaws; a crank shaft supported by the bearing block at right angles to said pin holding shaft; a crank mounted on said crank shaft for operating a ribbon feeder cooperable with said pin holding shaft; an intermittent right angle driving connection between the crank shaft and said pin holding shaft; and means imposing a frictional drag upon said pin holding shaft.

7. In a machine for forming a bow of ribbon upon a ribbon pin having a base end and a head end: a holder angularly movable about an axis, and having provisions for releasably engaging the base end of said pin; a feeder block guided for movement in a direction substantially parallel to said holder axis; a plunger mounted on said feeder block and having an end movable over said ribbon pin; means for angularly indexing said holder and for reciprocating said feeder block; and a one-way drive connection for advancing ribbon with the feeder block and comprising a cylindrical weight; a friction ring mounted on and extending about the weight; pivot means mounting the weight about an axis eccentric of the center of gravity of the weight and fixed relative to the feeder block for movement of the weight toward and away from a surface of the feeder block, the said pivot means being so situated relative to said surface that said weight moves to engage said surface at an angle thereto whereby the weight is capable of wedging and unwedging movement by opposite angular movement thereof.

8. In a machine for forming a bow of ribbon upon a ribbon pin having a base end and a head end: a holder angularly movable about an axis, and having provisions for releasably engaging the base end of said pin; a feeder lock guided for movement in a direction substantially parallel to said holder axis; a plunger mounted on said feeder block and having an end movable over said ribbon pin; means for angularly indexing said holder and for reciprocating said feeder block; and a guide plate extending from the forward end of said plunger tube for engaging an edge of the ribbon to move the ribbon into position relative to said pin holder.

9. In a machine for forming a bow of ribbon upon a ribbon pin having a base flange, a pin shank extending from the base flange, and a pin head at the end of the shank: a shaft having a radially opening recess at one end for reception of the base flange, said shaft having jaws fixed with respect to the shaft, the inner surfaces of said jaws defining the frontal wall of said recess, said jaws being spaced from each other to permit the pin shank to project between and forwardly of the jaws; a plunger guided in the shaft recess for movement toward and away from the jaws for engaging the ribbon pin to clamp the ribbon pin against the inner surfaces of the jaws; a spring urging the plunger toward the jaws; a retracting pin projecting laterally of the plunger and passing through a clearance opening in the shaft; a sleeve slidable along the shaft and having a slot receiving the retracting pin; spring means urging the sleeve forwardly toward the gripping jaws and to a limit determined by engagement of said retracting pin with one end of said sleeve slot; a friction ring mounted at the end of said sleeve and extending beyond the jaws when the sleeve is at its said limit for engagement with the ribbon on opposite sides of said ribbon pin; a feeder block guided for movement in a direction substantially parallel to said shaft; a one-Way ribbon drive connection carried by said feeder block; and a plunger tube carried by said feeder block for movement over the head of the ribbon pin held at said jaws and to retract the sleeve upon such movement.

10. In a machine for forming a bow of ribbon upon a ribbon pin having a base flange, a pin shank extending from the base flange, and a pin head at the end of the shank: a shaft having a radially opening recess at one end for reception of the base flange, said shaft having jaws fixed with respect to the shaft, the inner surfaces of said jaws defining the frontal wall of said recess, said jaws being spaced from each other to permit the pin shank to project between and forwardly of the jaws; a plunger guided in the shaft recess for movement toward and away from the jaws for engaging the pin to clamp the pin against the inner surfaces of the jaws; a spring urging the plunger toward the jaws; a retracting pin projecting laterally of the plunger and passing through a clearance opening in the shaft; a bearing block for supporting the end of said shaft remote from said jaws; a crank shaft supported by the bearing block at right angles to said pin holding shaft; a crank mounted on said crank shaft for operating a ribbon feeder cooperable with said pin holding shaft; and an intermittent right angle driving connection between the crank shaft and said pin holding shaft, including an indexing wheel mounted on the pin holding shaft at an adjusted position therealong, and having a peripheral ring, said crank having a surface engageable with said peripheral ring of said indexing wheel, said surface being relieved to provide the said intermittent connection.

11. In a machine for forming a bow of ribbon upon a ribbon pin having a base end and a head end: a holder angularly movable about an axis, and having provisions for releasably engaging the base end of said pin; a member supported for limited movement parallel to said axis; a friction ring attached to the end of said member for engagement with the base layers of the ribbon bow; means determining a forward limit to the movement of the member for positioning the friction ring forwardly of the pin engaging provisions; spring means urging the member toward said limit; a plunger reciprocable toward and away from said holder to force ribbon over said pin engaged by said holder, and for retracting said member upon arrival of said plunger to its forward limit.

12. In a ribbon bow-forming machine cooperable with a ribbon pin: a base; a holder mounted on the base and angularly movable about an axis, said holder having provisions for releasably engaging one end of said ribbon pin; a feeder block guided for movement on the base in a path substantially parallel to said holder axis; said feeder block having provisions for staking ribbon on said ribbon pin upon reciprocation thereof; an actuating lever having one end pivotally connected to said feeder block and the other end pivotally connected to the base, there being a pin and slot connection at one end of said actuating lever to free the actuating member for angular reciprocation as the feeder block reciprocates in its said path; a crank; a connecting rod pivoted at one end to the crank, the crank being capable of lateral fiexure for movement of the other end of the crank; and a plurality of separate means spaced along the actuating lever for selective engagement with the other end of said connecting rod; lateral flexure of said connecting rod effecting detachment and reengagernent of said connecting arm and said actuating lever; said selective engagement means being so placed as to provide a constant terminus of the feeder block at that end of its path more proximate the holder.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,905,368 Runyan Sept. 22, 1959 2,933,223 Kravig et al Apr. 19, 1960 2,982,452 Anderson May 2, 1961 

1. IN A MACHINE FOR FORMING A BOW OF RIBBON UPON A RIBBON PIN HAVING A BASE END AND A HEAD END: A HOLDER ANGULARLY MOVABLE ABOUT AN AXIS, AND HAVING PROVISIONS FOR RELEASABLY ENGAGING THE BASE END OF SAID PIN; A MEMBER GUIDED FOR MOVEMENT IN A PATH SUBSTANTIALLY PARALLEL TO SAID AXIS; A FRICTION RING OF RUBBER-LIKE MATERIAL MOUNTED ON THE END OF SAID MEMBER AND ENCOMPASSING SAID HOLDER PROVISIONS FOR ENGAGING THE FIRST LAYERS OF THE RIBBON ON OPPOSITE SIDES OF THE PIN; MEANS DETERMINING A LIMIT TO MOVEMENT OF THE GUIDED MEMBER IN WHICH THE FRICTION RING IS LOCATED FORWARDLY OF THE HOLDER PIN ENGAGING PROVISIONS; AND YIELDING MEANS FOR URGING THE GUIDED MEMBER TOWARD SAID LIMIT TO PROVIDE A SUBSTANTIALLY CONTINUOUS GRIP UPON THE RIBBON LAYERS. 